So, a few thoughts on what they have to say.
Many retailers said they've started hearing customers talk about how they need to cut back on the comics they purchase because of economic concerns, although some said that's a worry they hear from customers all the time.
I haven't cut back on my comic purchases particularly (other than dropping books that have lost my interest--bye-bye FF and IM!--and switching to trades in some cases), but I am less likely to want to add to my get list these days. Whether that has much to do with the cost, I'm not sure--it could just as easily have to do with there not being much new that I'd want that i don't already get. If I do want to add something totally new (like Blue Beetle, which I do mean to try out at some point) I'm much more likely to just get the trades. (I may pick up the FF trade starting with the new creative team. Maybe.)
It's true that I'm still willing to buy a few more comics during an event that interests me, but when I do that, I've got it in mind that it's a temporary thing. That I can afford to add another $2.99 (or $3.99 ::rolls eyes::) for six or eight months. I don't think I would do that long-term, and it's also true that as the events keep coming, I keep buying fewer and fewer of the associated tie-ins. On the other hand, I seem to have gotten used to buying a weekly from DC. (Does anyone know if Trinity, like Countdown and 52, is self-limiting?) How did that happen?
Some retailers also pointed out that while they may only be seeing a small effect so far from the economic slowdown, there are shops closing that are unable to stay open in this environment.
I get my comics by mail anyway, due to the lack of a local comic shop (which means I can do so guilt-free :)). The nearest one is about 100 miles away. I remember a few years back, my brother would make the drive once a month or so to pick up his books--but he hasn't done that in a while, and he certainly wouldn't be doing it these days! So I wonder if the increasing gas prices may be getting some people--those whose local comic shop is a bit of a drive--to switch to mail order.
"Each month, Marvel and DC add more titles that have a $3.99 or higher cover price. They publish them as one-shots, but with so many of them coming out, it is really just an indication of what is to come."
Just recently I've found myself paying closer attention to the price of my comics when I place my order, and I really do think twice when I see a "$3.99." I think that an across-the-board dollar increase would be something that would cause me to rethink a lot of my non-core purchases. As I suggested earlier, I'll pay that much (possibly grudgingly) for special events or some minis, but if one of my ongoings went to that price, I'd be thinking hard about how much I really liked that book.
Others emphasized that even if consumers spend less on comics during the slowdown, there is still a possibility for growth because of the massive untapped audience of people who don't read comics yet.
I found that interesting because my impression has been that the mainstream comic companies aren't really all that interested in expanding their fan base, at least not if it means making significant changes to their current product--and while I personally love the current product, I do recognize that I'm a fan of long standing, and I can see where it wouldn't necessarily appeal to someone who is entirely new to the superhero genre. It's a nice thought, though.
No comments:
Post a Comment